Scenic Philadelphia argued today before Court of Common Pleas Judge Idee Fox, that a billboard located in the Pennsport neighborhood should not be allowed to expand to a soaring 93 feet. The sign would tower above homes, the National Landmark Old Swedes Church, playgrounds and graveyards.

The case, ongoing since 2011 has neighbors and community leaders unified against the sign. Letter after letter was sent to the Zoning Board of Adjustment urging them not to grant a variance to raise the height of the sign… all to no effect. The ZBA granted the variance and Scenic Philadelphia representing a neighbor living directly under the sign appealed to the Court of Common Pleas. Stay tuned for the result.

If you would like to learn more about this case, or learn more about the upcoming City Council review of the proposed signage code (set for public hearing on Nov. 28th) Please contact 215.731.1775 to learn more. To view the proposed new code go to www.phila.gov and search for bill # 120430.

A zoning hearing to place three flatwall billboards on a vacant property along Columbus Boulevard was put off so the developer could continue negotiations with SCRUB, the blight advocacy group, and concerned neighborhood groups.

The developer, Riverview Development Corp., is seeking the variance for 1100 S. Columbus Blvd. Though it won the support of the Pennsport Civic Association, an array of neighborhood activists showed up at a hearing before the Zoning Board of Adjustment to voice their concerns.

Among them was Amy Rivera, a lawyer representing the Queen Village Neighbors Association, who said that residents of that neighborhood would be able to see the billboard and that it caused “massive visual clutter.”